Electric-arc lamp



UNITED STATES PATENT OEEICE.

JOHN II. J. IIAINES, OF NElV YORK, N. Y., AND ALEXANDER B. FERNALD, OFJERSEY CITY, NEIY JERSEY.

ELECTRIC-ARC LAM F.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 560,792, dated May 26,1896.

Application filed January 7, 1896.

To @ZZ 1071/0711/ it 71mg/ concern.-

Be it known that we, JOHN II. J. IIAINES, a resident of New York, in thecounty of New York and State of New York, and ALEXANDER FERNALD, aresident of Jersey City, in the county of IIudson and State of NewJersey, citizens of the United States, have invented a certain new anduseful Arc-Lamp, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to electric-arc lamps, and particularly tofeeding mechanism therefor.

The object is to construct feeding mechanism in which thel descent -ofthe carbon shall be so gradual that there will be no perceptiblevariation in the are when once struck. This object is attained by whatmay be called a Cball-clutch, in which the balls provide a perfectlyeven movement for the carbonecarrying rod and yet, when necessary, serveto hold said rod against movement.

The invention consists in the construction, combination, and arrangementof parts hereinafter described, and set forth in the claims.

In the accompanying drawings, which form a part of this speciiication,Figure l represents so much of an arc-lamp as is necessary to illustratethe invention, the novel features being represented in full lines invertical section and the old features in dotted lines. Fig. 2 representsin like manner in detail, on an enlarged scale, the invention inoperation.

A indicates the base-plate of the lamp, from which depends, in the usualmanner, the frame for supporting the lower carbon. Upon this plate ismounted a frame, as B, to which the feeding mechanism of the lamp issecured and through ways in which the carboncarrying rod O moves. D isthe feed-magnet, here shown as a solenoid with the core E. The feedingmechanism operated by this magnet consists of what may be termed aninclined ball-seat, a collar or sleeve F, having a conical inner surfaceand an exterior lian ge G, which rests upon stud-rollers II, projectinginwardly from the open lever I, balls, as Ii, which rest between thecarboncarrying rod and the conical surface of the seat, a weight, as Ll\I, surrounding the rod and resting upon the balls, and a trippingdevice, as N, surrounding the rod and eX- Serial No. 574,650. (N0model.)

tending up into the seat F, said device being preferably secured to theplate A. It is also well to form this device as shown in the drawings,so that it may furnish a guide for the carbon-carrier, as it may beturned up and fitted to the rod much easier than the plate A. The collarF, being mounted as shown, is free to move in any direction upon thestuds II, and so prevent the balls from wearing tracks in the rod.

The lever I in an alternating-current lamp, as that illustrated, isfulcrumed in the frame B at J, which fulcrum is sufficiently to one sideof studs H to provide for the elevation of the rod and its carbonsufficient to strike the arc. In a direct-current lamp this fulcrumwould simply be placed at the other side of studs H, as indicated indotted lines at J', where the weight of the core would overbalance theweight of the carbon-rod, the magnet being in a shunt or derivedcircuit. These changes and modifications incident upon converting analternating-current lamp into one for use on a direct current areunderstood by electricians and will not be further dwelt upon here.Suffice it to say that we have used our feeding mechanism in both formsof lamps.

The lever I may be provided with a weight, as at O, for adjusting thebalance of the parts. A dash-pot, as P, may also be connected to thelever to steady the movement thereof, as is common in arc-lamps.

By using the lever mechanism, as shown, for operating upon the ball-seata more effective and accurate feeding action is obtained than can be hadin any other way.

The weight resting upon the balls is shown divided transversely into theparts L M; but it may obviously be formed in one part. The object inusing the two portions shown is to facilitate assembling the parts ofthe feed mechanism. The lower end of the weight and also the upper endof the tripping device are preferably ground to lit the balls, thoughthey may be plain. As shown in Fig. 2, the groove in the weight inclinestoward the rod C, so as to force the ball against the rod, therebyproviding a quicker and firmer grip.

The plate Q, which serves as the upper guide for the carbon-carrier,also serves as a IOO stop to limit the upward movement of the lever I,while the shoulder R on the tripping device may serve as a stop for thedownward movement of said lever.

The brush for passing current to the carbon-carrier is shown at S asbearing thereon through an opening in the side of the tripping device.

As stated, the lamp illustrated is designed for use on analternating-current circuit and has its carbons touching when not inuse. Its operation is as follows: Current being turned on, the magnet isenergized, the lever I tilted thereby, and the ball-seat carried upward,which causes the balls to wed ge in between the inclined surface of theseat and the rod, thus clutching the rod and carrying it and its carbonalong until the are is properlystruek, the weight on the balls causingthem to more readily clutch the rod. Then as the arc lengthens the rodwill descend until the balls reach the upper edge of the collar N, wherethey will rest between it and the weight while the inclined seat movesfarther down, thereby releasing the balls and allowing them to rotateand permit the descent of the rod to such a point as will cause thecurrent through the magnet to again raise the seat and effect theclutching of the rod. The balls being held between the weight and thereleasing device and against the rod, a rolling friction is maintainedbetween them and the rod, thereby insuring an accurate and gradualdescent of the rod and its carbon. These movements, subsequent to thestriking of the arc, are almost imperceptible, and recur at suchfrequency as to cause practically a continuous descent of the4 carbon incompensation for the eolnbustion thereof.

Many changes may be made in the size, shape, and formation of the partsand mechanical expedients maybe resorted to neces sary to adapt thefeeding mechanism to a direct-current circuit without departing from theinvention herein set forth.

What we claim as our invention is- 1. The combination with thecarbon-carrying rod, of the ball-seat, balls therein resting between theseat and rod, a weight resting upon the balls and having a groove forthe balls inclined toward the rod, the feed-mag net, a connectionbetween the ball-seat and magnet by which the former is raised andlowered, and a tripping device for loosening the grip of the balls uponthe rod, as and for the purpose set forth.

2. The combination with the feed-magnet, of the lever operated thereby,the clutch meehanism mounted to move freely and to rotate upon studsprojecting from said lever, and a fixed releasing device for the clutchmechanism, substantially as set forth.

rllhe combination with the cylindrical carbon-carrying rod, of theinclined ball-seat surroundingit and provided with an exterior iange,balls resting between the incline of the seat and the rod, a leverpivoted to the frame of the lamp and controlled by the feed-mag net,antifriction-rollers carried by said lever and supporting the ball-seatby its iiange, and a releasing device for unseatin g the balls to allowthe carbon-rod to feed downward.

4. The combination with the carbon-carrying rod and the feed-magnet, ofthe inclined ball-seat controlled-in its movements by said magnet, ballsresting between the incline and the rod, a weight resting upon theballs, and a tripping device for lifting the balls from the incline,said weight and tripping device being so constructed as to hold theballs between them when released from the seat, as and for the purposeset forth.

Signed at New York, in the county of New York and State of New York,this 4th day of January, A. D. 1896.

JOHN Il. J. HAINES. ALEXANDER B. FERNALD. lVitnesses:

WM. I-I. CAPEL, D. II. DECKER.

